5 batters the Chicago Cubs should target in free agency

We’ve recently completed our list of the top 5 pitchers the Cubs could target when the season comes to an end in free agency. Now, we turn our attention to the top 5 bats the Cubs could target this offseason. Due to the recent tear down that tore the hearts of fans in half, the team’s lineup appears foreign to what it has been in recent years.

With the recent departures of Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Kris Bryant, little needs to be said of evidence left behind that the offense needs a boost. As recently noted, the Cubs have a sizable amount of payroll that will be freed up after this season mercifully comes to a close. That, coupled with fact Jed Hoyer has said that big money spending will be back soon, one can only speculate as to what exactly that will entail – and when.

If Hoyer’s plan was to not re-sign the team’s former stars due to recent lack of production, it does seem likely that given the amount of free agent talent in this winter’s class, that big money spending could start as soon as this offseason.

With that being said, let’s dive right in and look at five batters that could make a significant impact and help bolster the Chicago Cubs lineup moving into 2022 and beyond.

Chicago Cubs: 5 batters to target in free agency – #5: Starling Marte

Starling Marte has quietly had one of the better bats in baseball during his 10-year career. Slashing .289/.346/.452 during that span, he has also notched 280 stolen bases to go along with 123 home runs and 477 RBI. He may not be a record-setting threat on the basepaths, but he can definitely help Chicago manufacture some more runs.

Adding a player such as Marte gives you that speed on the basepaths. The Cubs currently don’t have anybody that can steal 30 bags a year, or at least not been given the green light to do so. Javier Baez had 13, he’s gone. Rafael Ortega and Jason Heyward both lead the team with five. Marte is not a cleanup hitter but he’s the kind of guy that can get on base, steal second and be driven in by a Nico Hoerner or Nick Madrigal contact bat type of guy.

The Cubs’ approach has been to swing for the fences far too long and when it doesn’t work, they find themselves falling behind in games with no way to claw their way back outside of the long ball.

This year, Marte is having an exceptional season, slashing .315/.408/.472 with nine home runs, 30 driven in and 28 stolen bases, scoring 59 runs on the season. He currently has a WAR of 3.5, showing he’s valuable to any team. Luckily, he is a free agent this winter and will be going into his age-33 season. He currently earns $12.5 million – and you can expect him to be somewhere in that range in his next deal, as well.

Chicago Cubs: 5 batters to target in free agency – #4: Eddie Rosario

Number four on this list brings us to Eddie Rosario. The Cleveland Indians outfielder is currently in the midst of one of the worst seasons of his career, slashing .254/.296/.389 with just seven home runs and 46 runs batted in. With Rosario reaching free agency this winter, him having a down season could bode well for the Chicago Cubs from a cost standpoint.

Rosario, in his seven-year career, is slashing .275/.308/.470, mostly spent with the Minnesota Twins before joining Cleveland this year. He has been an above-average hitter especially in terms of driving in runs, with a 162-game average of 91. He saw his most successful season in 2019, with a line of .276/.300/.500 with 32 home runs and 109 driven in, mirroring Anthony Rizzo from 2016 and 2017.

In 2020, though in a shortened season, Rosario knocked in 42 RBI in 57 games played, putting him well above his average to have seen his most successful season to-date. Though he struggled early on in 2021, he has recently found his groove, batting .283 in the months of June and into early July before he landed on the 10-day IL with an abdominal strain where he is still a few weeks away at this point.

Looking at the production for his career, it appears obvious that his bat could be a nice addition for Chicago.

Chicago Cubs: 5 batters to target in free agency – #2: Trevor Story

Landing at number two, Trevor Story. Although the Cubs acquired Nick Madrigal via the Craig Kimbrel trade earlier this year, the common belief is that once a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached between MLB and MLBPA, the DH will be a mainstay in the National League moving forward.

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The addition of the designated hitter in the NL would significantly improve what the Cubs are able to do as far as depth and with their lineup. You can have two shortstops in your lineup, give fielders a day off and keep their bat in the order, etc.

The Colorado Rockies fan favorite has been a top-tier shortstop in the league since he debuted back in 2016. Since then, he has earned two All-Star nods and two Silver Sluggers. His career line comes in at .274/.340/.525, also adding decent speed on the base paths with 97 stolen bases.

Though Story is battling a down year in 2021, he isn’t expected to ever stay down for long. He currently carries a .252 average with 15 long-balls and 54 RBI. Adding his veteran bat to the mix could make a huge impact. The price tag for Story will most likely be sky-high and therefore the Cubs could balk at an attempt to sign him, spending big money by addressing needs elsewhere. Nevertheless, he is a potent offensive weapon for any team looking to contend.

Chicago Cubs: 5 batters to target in free agency – #1: Freddie Freeman

Coming in at number one, Freddie Freeman. Another man who speaks for himself. His accolades include NL MVP honors in 2020, five All-Star nods, two Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove award at first base. He has played all 12 years of his career and is synonymous with the Atlanta Braves, slashing an impressive .295/.384/.509 in the process.

Talk about consistency, his 2021 average is also currently .295 with a line of .295/.395/.505. With the recent departure of Anthony Rizzo, there is a gaping hole left behind at first base. Freeman would be the perfect fit, adding a stellar lefty bat and Gold Glove-caliber defense, much the same we saw for years in Rizzo.

Another guy with a hefty price tag, Freeman figures to be one of the more sought after free agents this offseason. He is surely an upgrade for almost all 30 teams, though the Cubs could utilize his services more than any of them.

If Chicago does decide to significantly open up the checkbook, Freeman should be at the top of their list of players they should be after. His 4.4 WAR per 162 game season on average would be a big-time addition for the North Siders.